Web supply



June 4, 1968 D. E. LAMON ETAL WEB SUPPLY 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 161965 June 4, 1968 D. E. LAMON ETAL WEB SUPPLY '7 Sheets-Sheet 2' FiledAug. 16, 1965 J1me 1968 D. E. LAMON ETAL. 3,336,672

WEB SUPPLY Filed Aug 16, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet Z June 4, 1968 D. E. LAMONETAL 3,386,672

WEB SUPPLY Filed Aug. 16, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 4, 1968 D. E.LAMON ETAL 3,386,672

WEB SUPPLY Filed Aug. 16. 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 4, 1968 LAMON ETAL3,386,672

WEB SUPPLY Filed Aug. 16, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 QM m zz a gag M #Jdiva/mega I J1me 1968 D. E. LAMON ETAL 3,386,672

WEB SUPPLY Filed Aug. 16, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 United States Patent3,386,672 WEB SUPPLY David E. Lamon and Gerald W. Scott, Appleton, Wis.,

assignors to Appleton Machine Company, a corporation of Wisconsin FiledAug. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 479,824 7 Claims. (Cl. 242--55) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Web supply apparatus including a rotatable roll sup portassembly for supporting three rolls of material, a supply roll, areplenishment roll and a take-up roll. When rotated to the threadingposition, web material from the replenishment roll is connected to theweb from the expiring supply roll. This is effected by energizing astarter engaging the surface of the replenishment roll and bypositioning a carrier assembly adjacent the replenishment roll to engagethe leading edge of the web and transport it into contact with theexpiring web. After replenishment, the old supply roll becomes thetake-up roll, the replenishment roll becomes the supply roll, and theold take-up roll is replaced by a new replenishment roll.

This application relates to a web supply apparatus and more particularlyto an apparatus for continuously suppling web material from individualrolls.

In the manufacture of paper, the web, defined as a continuous sheet ofpaper manufactured or undergoing process of manufacture on a papermachine, is often passed through a large finishing device known as asupercalender. These finishing machines may extend as high as three orfour stories and are made up of components of corre sponding size.Threading a web through such devices is a long and cumbersome affair inwhich some of the large unwieldly components may have to be removed orotherwise reoriented during threading and thereafter replaced.Additionally, in threading such machines, valuable time is wasted byshutting the machine down and manually walking the leading edge of theweb to the top of the machine. It is desirable, therefore, to be able tosupply a continuous web to such devices in order to eliminate having torethread the machine after each roll is used up.

The web material of primary concern is the type usually furnished inhuge cylindrical rolls. The size and weight of the rolls, in addition toany problems involving the machine through which the web is to pass,create numerous material handling problems when regular rethreading isrequired. Thus, the reduction in material handling procedures and theelimination of the need to rethread the end use device can result inmore efiicient and faster processing of the web material.

An apparatus embodying the novel features of the present inventionreduces material handling problems by providing replenishment of the webbeing supplied to eliminate interruptions in operations andtime-consuming rethreading delays. Generally, such an apparatus iscapable of supplying web material from a roll to an end use device, suchas a supercalender. Furthermore, this web supply apparatus is designedto receive the web as it leaves the end use device and to wind it up ona take-up roll. In addition, the novel concepts incorporated into thisapparatus enable it to rapidly substitute a new roll of material for anexpiring roll, to connect the web of the two rolls together therebysupplying a continuous web, and to substitute take-up rolls for incomingweb material to further facilitate continuous operations without delay.

One embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in Patented June 4, 1968 detailhereinbelow, employs a rotatable roll. support assembly on which aremounted three rolls of material, a supply roll, a replenishment roll anda take-up roll. The assembly is capable of assuming two relativepositions, a normal position and a threading position. Each time itmoves into the supply position, the original rolls assume the functionof the roll previously in that position. Thus, the originalreplenishment roll will become a supply roll, the core of the originaland now empty supply roll will operate as the take-up roll and thetake-up roll, or a substitute therefor, will become the newreplenishment roll. When the supply of web material is to bereplenished, the support shifts the rolls from supply position tothreading position so the web from the replenishment roll can beconnected to the web from the expiring supply roll. This is accomplishedby energizing a starter engaging the surface of the replenishment rollto initiate rotation of the roll and by suitably positioning a carrieradjacent to the replenishment roll so it engages the leading edge of theweb therefrom and transports it into contact with the expiring web.

The carrier is provided with means to reduce the air pressure betweenthe leading edge of the web and a plurality of traveling beltstraversing the carrier. The reduced air pressure maintains the web incontact with the belts which carry it into position for connection withthe expiring web. Adhesive applied to the leading edge im mediatelypreceding its contact with the expiring web provides for adhesionbetween the webs as they meet under pressure.

When the connection between the webs has been made, and the trailingedge of the expiring web has been severed and removed from theapparatus, the roll support positions the rolls into normal positionwhich wherein, as

- explained above, the replenishment roll replaces the supply roll sothe apparatus can continue to supply web material without interruption.Furthermore, the apparatus also substitutes a new take-up roll forincoming Web material. The support assembly in positioning the rollsinto normal position orients the take-up roll, which winds up thereturning web relative to the now empty supply roll core so the incomingweb passes around the empty core of the expired roll to the take-uproll. When the take-up roll is full, this returning web is severed andmay be readily connected by suitable means to the empty core which isthen utilized as the new take-up roll.

Thus, an apparatus embodying the present invention provides forreplenishment of a web of material from an expiring roll with that froma new roll in order to continuously supply such material to an end usedevice. Additionally, the apparatus at the same time substitutes a nowempty take-up roll for a full take-up roll to insure continuousoperation.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and one embodiment thereof, from the claims and from theaccompanying drawings in which each and every detail shown is fully andcompletely disclosed as a part of this specification in which likereference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a right-hand side view of one embodimerit of a web supplyapparatus incorporating the features of the present invention and inwhich rolls of web material are shown in threading position;

FIGURE 2 is a left-hand side View of the supply apparatus showing thedriving mechanism in which the rolls are shown in normal position and inwhich the replenishment position of the rolls is indicated in brokenlines;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the Web supply apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a web carrier making up part of the websupply apparatus of the present inventron;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the carrier showing also part of a rollstarter;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of the carrier and starter in which there isalso shown a glue gun positioned in operating position;

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the starter;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the starter;

FIGURE 9 is a side view of a chuck used for easy replacement of rolls ofweb material in the machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is an end view of the chuck; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of a lock used in the chuck of FIGURES 9and 10.

The web supply apparatus 15 embodying principles of the presentinvention is provided with means for simultaneously supporting threeindependent rolls of material. As is shown most clearly in FIGURES 1 and2, the web 16 is supplied by the apparatus 15 from a first or supplyroll 18 and returns into the apparatus at 16a to a second or take-uproll 20. In normal position, shown most clearly in FIGURE 2, the web 16is threaded over a pressure roller 22 rotatably supported at one end ofa bracket 24 pivotally mounted on the frame of the apparatus 15. The web16 passes out of the apparatus 15 under a guide roller 26 to the devicebeing supplied (not shown), such as a supercalender. The web 16a returnsto the apparatus passing under another guide roller 28 and onto thetake-up roll 20. In the normal position, a third or replenishment roll30 may be inserted into the apparatus.

Each of the rolls of web material, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 3, isrotatably supported at either end by a pair of three-arm supports, achuck support 32 at one end and a power support 34 at the other. Inorder to successively position the rolls in normal and threadingpositions, the supports 32, 34 revolve with a central shaft 36 supportedat either end by pillow blocks 38.

When the web supply is to be replenished, the central shaft 36 isrotated to shift the assemblies 32, 34 and the rolls 18, and from thenormal position as shown in FIGURE 2 to the threading position shownmost clearly in FIGURE 1. The central shaft 36 is rotated through a pairof circular end plates 40, keyed to the shaft 36 and havingcircumferential gear teeth 40a. The end plates 40 are rotated by a pairof pinions 42 driven by a motor 44 coupled thereto through a suitablearrangement of shafts 46, couplings 48 and gears 50. In order to insureproper adhesion between the webs being connected, the pressure roller 22is positioned by a pressure roller cylinder 52 into position 22' againsta paster roller 54 so that webs pas-s therebetween under pressure.

In order to replenish the web supply, once the rolls are in threadingposition, it is necessary to connect the leading edge 55 of thereplenishment roll 30 to the trailing portion of web 16 from the supplyroll 18 while it is still being supplied by the apparatus. To accomplishthis, rotation of the replenishment roll 30 is initiated by a rollstarter S6 and the leading edge 55 is carried or transported by a webcarrier to the nip 62 between the pressure and paster rollers 22', 54where it is at tached to the trailing edge of the supply web 16.

Rotation of the replenishment roll 30 is initiated by a roll starter 56,most clearly shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, including two large tires 64designed to engage the surface of the replenishment roll 30. The tires64 are suitably mounted on an axle 66 rotatably positioned at one end ofa pair of supporting plates 68. A multiple sheave 70 is keyed to theaxle 66 for rotation with the tires 64. The opposite ends of the supportplates 68 are bushed, 71, to a power transmission shaft 72 which isdriven by a suitable source (not shown) and to which another multiplesheave 7 is keyed. Power is supplied to the tires 64 by a plurality ofendless belts 76 which span the sheaves 70,

74 while a tensioning roller 78 is positioned on the belts '76 to avoidslippage. The position of roll starter 56 is controlled by a compressedair cylinder 80 connected between one of the supporting plates 68 andthe frame of the apparatus 15. When the roll starter 56 is lowered tothe surface of the replenishment roll 30 and energized, the tires 64engage the surface of the roll to initiate rotation at the desired speedto allow for the carrier 60 to pick up the leading edge 58 and transportit to a point where it contacts the expiring web 16.

Rotation of the roll 30 being initiated, the leading edge 55 is thentransported for connection with the expiring supply web 16 by the webcarrier 60 most clearly shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. The web carrier 60,pivotally mounted at one end 82 to the frame of the apparatus .15 islowered into operative position immediately adjacent the surface of theroll 30 by a compressed air cylinder 84 extending between an upperconnecting plate 86 and the frame of the apparatus 15. The transportingaction of the carrier 60 is provided by a plurality of endless belts 88extending around two sets of pulleys 90, 92 located at either end of theweb carrier 60.

Since in the disclosed embodiment the leading edge 55 passes underneaththe belts 88, the air pressure immediately above the belts 88 is reducedto counteract the normal tendency of the web to drop away from thesurface of the belts 88. This reduced air pressure is provided byorienting a plurality of nozzle assemblies 94, connected to a compressedair header 96 and disposed transversely to the endless belts 88, so asto direct a plurality of air jets parallel to and along the surface ofthe belts 88. These air jets operate to reduce the air pressure abovethe web thereby causing the normal air pressure below the web to forceit into contact with the belt surfaces.

Just prior to contact with the expiring web, the leading edge 55receives a quantity of adhesive from a glue gun 98 supported by a bellcrank 100 pivotally mounted on the web carrier 60. In operative position(as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 6), the glue gun 98 is disposed below thebelts 88 to supply adhesive to the surface of the web 56 as it passes inproximity thereto. In this position, however, the glue gun 98 mayinterfere with successive positioning of the rolls into normal andthreading positions and, therefore, is pivoted out of the way after ithas served its purpose by a cylinder 102 mounted on connecting plate 86and coupled to the pivotal end of the bell crank 100.

After the leading edge 55 from the repenishment roll 39 has beentransported into contact with the expiring web 16 and has passed betweenthe pressure roll 22' and the paster roll 54, any remaining portion ofthe expiring web 16 may be severed and removed from the apparatus. Theroll support is then rotated into normal position wherein each roll isdisplaced one-third of a revolution from its original position. There-entering web 16a now passes underneath the empty core of the originalsupply roll as it is wound up on the take-up roll 28. When the junctionpoint re-enters the apparatus, the web 16a is severed by any suitablemeans and the leading edge from the new supply roll (the originalreplenishment roll) is attached to the empty core, formerly the supplyroll, which then is operated as the new take-up roll.

As seen most clearly in FIGURES 2 and 3, power for rotating each of therolls on its axis is supplied from a constant speed source of power (notshown) through a suitable belt drive 106. The power is transmittedthrough a power gear train 108 to a sleeve 110 hushed to the centralshaft 36. A chain 112 coupled to a sprocket wheel 114 fixed to thesleeve 110 couples the sleeve to a shaft 116 supported in each arm ofthe power support 34. Each roll is driven by its respective shaft 116through an air oper ated clutch 118 which couples the shaft 116 to achuck I20 fitted to the core of the roll. The speed of each roll andcorrespondingly the tension of the web supplied therefrom, is controlledby an air operated brake 122 coupled individually to each shaft 116.

When in the new supply position the original takeup roll is in positionto be replaced with a brand new replenishment roll. As shown in FIGURES2 and 3, a crane 123 may be connected to this completely wound roll toremove it and replace it with a new replenishment roll. When the crane123 is connected to the roll, its removal is effected by operation of achuck 124 which is a component of each arm of the chuck support 32.

As seen most clearly in FIGURES 9, l0 and 11, the chuck 124 extends intothe core of each roll and cooperates with the shaft engaging the otherend of the roll, to support it in position. When it is desired towithdraw the chuck 124 to allow removal of the roll, a pinion 126cooperating with a rack 128 fixed to the chuck 124 is rotated until thechuck is withdrawn. The pinion 126 is splined to a shaft 130 orientedtransversely to the chuck 124. The shaft 130, gear 132 and a handle 134are keyed to the shaft 130 which is biased into locked position by aspring 136 acting between the handle 134 and one of a pair of bearinghousings 138 supporting the shaft 130. In the locked position, the gear132 engages a fixed rack seg ment 149 to prevent rotation of the shaft130 and resultant linear movement of the chuck 124.

In operation, the rolls are disposed in normal position while the web 16is being supplied by the apparatus from supply roll 18. When the roll 18nears the end of its supply, the roll support revolves until the rollsare in threadin position. At this point, the pressure roller 22, overwhich the web 16 is threaded is repositioned, 22', against paster roller54 so that the web passes therebetween under pressure. The roll starter56 and the web carrier 60 are lowered into operative relation with thereplenishment roll wherein the starters tires 64 engage the surface ofthe roll 3t) and one end of the web carrier is disposed adjacent thesurface of the roll. When the starter 56 is energized the tires 64 aredriven to initiate rotation of the roll 30. At the same time, the belts88 of the carrier 60 are started and high pressure air is supplied tothe nozzles 96 to emit the air jets along the surfaces of the belts toreduce air pressure. The reduced pressure results in the web 58 beingforced against the belts which transport it into contact with theexpiring supply web 16.

When the webs have been joined and the junction point has left theapparatus, any Web material on the supply roll 18 is suitably severedand removed from the apparatus. The rolls are then rotated to the normalposition wherein each roll is displaced one-third of a revolution pastits original position. Thus, the original take-up roll replaces theoriginal replenishment roll, the replenishment roll new acts as thesupply roll, and the empty core of the original supply roll is inposition to function as a takeup roll. The re-entering Web passesunderneath the empty core of the original supply roll and winds up onthe original take-up roll. When the junction point re-enters theapparatus, the web is severed and attached to the new empty supply corewhich is then operated as a new takeup roll.

While the above discussion made reference to supplying the web to asupercalender, it is clear that any other device may be similarlyconnected to the apparatus of the present invention. It is also evidentthat paper is not the only product provided in rolls and other materialsmay be handled by devices incorporating the novel features of thepresent invention. Furthermore, while each step has been described as asemi'independent operation, it is clear that Within the scope of thepresent invention automatic control and operation of the device may beprovided.

There has been shown a new and novel web supply machine capable ofreplenishing and replacing rolls of web material to allow continuousoperation of the device being supplied. From the foregoing, it will beobserved that numerous variations and modifications may be effectedwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept ofthe invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for supplying a continuous web of material including commonsupport means for successively positioning new rolls of web materialinto a threading position, starter means for initiating rotation of anew roll, carrier means for transporting the web from the new roll intocontact with web material being supplied, said carrier means includingtraveling belt means for transporting the new web in contact therewith,and means associated with said belts for maintaining the new web incontact therewith and means for securing the two webs together wherebymaterial is supplied continuously by the apparatus, said common supportmeans including web take-up means for returning web material.

2. A web supply apparatus comprising means supporting a plurality ofradially extending arms each holding a roll of web material, means forrotating said arms to a first threading position and to a second normalposition, and means operable when said arms are in said threadingposition for securing the webs from two rolls together, said securingmeans comprising starter means for initiating rotation of one roll,carrier means for transporting the web from one roll into contact withthe web from the other roll, said carrier means including traveling beltmeans for transporting a web in contact therewith, and means reducingair pressure in the area of said belts for maintaining the web and beltsin contact, applicator means for applying an adhesive to the surface ofone web, and pressure means for applying pressure to both webs aftercontact therebetween to positively insure adhesion, whereby the webmaterial is supplied continuously by the apparatus.

3. An apparatus for supplying a continuous output of web material fromindependent rolls and for winding up returning web material including incombination common support means for rotatably supporting rolls of webmaterial, means for positioning said support means in either of tworelative positions, means cooperating with one roll when said supportmeans is in one position for securing web material from said one roll toweb material being supplied from another roll, said securing meansincluding roll starter means for initiating rotation of said one roll,and carrier means spaced from said one roll for transporting the leadingedge of web material from one roll into juxtaposition with the otherweb, and means spaced from said carrier means for joining the webstogether under pressure, said support means also defining take-up meansfor returning web material.

4. In a web supply machine for continuously supplying web material fromindividual rolls, means for securing web material from one roll to webmaterial from another roll including means engaging the surface of oneroll for initiating rotation thereof, and carrier means positionedadjacent the surface of the one roll, said carrier means having aplurality of endless belts for transporting the web from said one rollin contact therewith from a first to a second position whereinconnection may be made with the web material from the other roll, and anair nozzle assembly directing a stream of air along the surface of saidbelts for maintaining contact between said belts and the web.

5. In an apparatus in which web material from individual rolls may beconnected together to provide a continuous supply, a web carrierassembly for transporting web material from one roll for connection withweb ma.- terial from another roll, said assembly comprising a pair ofmultiple pulleys located respectively adjacent the roll and the point ofconnection, a plurality of endless belts disposed around said pulleysand a plurality of high pressure air nozzles directing high pressure airalong one surface of said belts for maintaining contact between saidbelts and the web material, whereby the web is carried by said beltsfrom one roll to the connection point.

6. A machine for continuously supplying a web of material and winding upthe web on its return comprising three equally spaced, axially extendingarms for rotatably supporting respectively a supply roll of webmaterial, a replenishment roll of web material, said web on saidreplenishment roll having a leading edge, and a take-up roll, a motorfor rotating and for positioning said arms in two relative positions, athreading position and a normal position, a pivotally mounted rollstarter having rotating tires operable to engage the sunface of thereplenishmerit roll when said arms are in threading position to initiaterotation thereof, a pivotally mounted carrier assembly provided with aplurality of endless traveling belts positioned adjacent the leadingedge of the replenishment roll web in threading position, a plurality ofcompressed air nozzles emitting high pressure air along the surface ofsaid belts for maintaining the leading edge of the web from saidreplenishment roll in contact therewith, a glue gun mounted under saidcarrier assembly 'for applying adhesive to the surface of the leadingedge, a pair of rolls between which the webs pass for connecting theleading edge to the supply web under pressure, means selectivelyrotating the take-up roll for winding up web material returning to saidapparatus, and means for rotating the empty supply roll when in supplyposition for substitution as a new take-up roll.

7. Web supply apparatus comprising a common rotatable support means forsupporting a plurality of rolls of web material including a supply rollfrom which Web is being supplied, a take-up roll for winding up webreturning to the apparatus and a replenishment roll for replenishing thesupply of web material, means for positioning said common support meansin threading position, a guide roller for the web from the supply roll,means for positioning said guide roller adjacent a pressure roller toform a pressure nip therebetween through which said supply web passes,means engaging the surface of said replenishment roll for initiatingrotation thereof, and means disposed adjacent to both said replenishmentroll and said pressure roller for transporting the leading edge of theweb from said replenishment roll to said pressure nip whereby the twowebs may be secured together, and means for positioning said commonsupport assembly in a normal position whereby said supply roll becomes atake-up roll for the web being supplied from said replenishment roll.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,301,123 4/1919 Goss 242-5842,346,903 4/ 1944 Cafirey 242-64 X 3,055,337 9/1962 Cossaboon 24258.2 X3,161,367 12/1964 Goddard 242-584 3,298,623 1/1967 Lighton et al 24264 X3,306,546 2/1967 Ryan 24258.2

WILLIAM S. BURDEN, Primary Examiner.

